Abstract of the Offer
The technology originates from a manufacturing organisation with facilities in Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. We operate as an engineering and production provider of precision mechanical and electromechanical components for aerospace and space applications. We develop, machine and assemble small to medium-scale mechanical elements and motion-control assemblies for mission-critical systems.
The offer includes precision components such as gears, motion-control mechanisms, electro-mechanical actuators, housings, structural parts, and other machined elements used in spacecraft mechanisms. Supporting processes include machining, heat treatment, coatings, lubrication, and clean-environment assembly.
These technologies are used in pointing mechanisms, deployment and drive systems, attitude-control functions, scientific instruments, planetary exploration mechanisms, and other spacecraft assemblies requiring controlled motion or mechanical integration. They also support subsystem architectures involving sensors, communications equipment, thermal hardware, and related interfaces.
The main advantages relate to the ability to supply high-precision, space-compatible components and assemblies through an integrated manufacturing and assembly workflow, enabling consistent quality, traceability, and reduced interface complexity.
The partnership sought may involve supply-chain collaboration, mechanism or component production contracts, or participation in development activities. Engagement can be on a build-to-print, build-to-specification, or joint engineering basis, depending on programme requirements.
Description
The technologies described comprise precision mechanical components and electro-mechanical assemblies used in space-grade motion control, actuation, and structural or interface applications. These include gears, motion-control mechanisms, electro-mechanical actuators, and precision-turned or milled components used throughout spacecraft subsystems.
Functions performed
Gears and motion-control mechanisms are used to transmit, convert, or regulate rotational or linear movement in spacecraft systems. They support controlled positioning, deployment, adjustment, or rotation of mission-critical elements. Typical functions include controlled pointing, angular adjustment, rotary transmission, and force or torque transfer between mechanical elements.
Electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) provide controlled motion by converting electrical input into mechanical output. They are used for controlled rotation, linear displacement, or incremental positioning where electronic command signals must drive precise physical movements.
Precision-turned and milled components serve as structural or functional elements such as housings, interfaces, sensor bodies, connectors, instrument components, and mechanism sub-structures. These parts provide mechanical support, alignment, environmental protection, or integration interfaces for other hardware.
Enabling technical concepts
The technologies operate through a combination of precision mechanical engineering and controlled electromechanical interaction:
- Gear mechanisms function through accurately defined tooth profiles and meshing geometries that transmit motion and regulate speed or torque between shafts or rotating members. They may be configured as spur, helical, bevel, worm, planetary, or custom gear sets depending on the motion transmission requirements.
- Motion-control assemblies integrate mechanical transmission elements with bearings, shafts, and structural interfaces to enable controlled movement under electronic, mechanical, or hybrid command.
- Electro-mechanical actuators incorporate motors, gearing, lead screws or similar conversion elements, along with sensors (such as position or speed feedback devices) to provide commanded motion. Electrical input signals are converted into torque or linear force through these internal mechanisms.
- Precision-machined components are produced through controlled turning and milling processes, creating defined geometries, critical surfaces, and functional interfaces needed for integration into spacecraft subsystems. These components may be further processed with heat treatment, coatings, or lubrication to meet specific environmental or interface requirements.
Potential applications
These technologies support a wide range of spacecraft mechanisms and subsystems. Typical applications include:
- Pointing mechanisms, such as those used to orient thrusters, antennas, instruments, or payloads.
- Deployment or drive mechanisms, including solar array rotation/drive elements, aperture or cover mechanisms, and articulated structures.
- Mechanical subsystems in planetary exploration, including sampling mechanisms, drilling systems, mobility components, and instrument actuators.
- Satellite platform components, including housings, sensor interfaces, mechanical connectors, and mechanism support structures integrated into attitude-control, payload, thermal, and communication subsystems.
- Specialized or mission-specific mechanical assemblies, where controlled motion, structural precision, or electromechanical integration is required.
These components and assemblies form part of the mechanical and electromechanical architecture of satellites, planetary rovers, spacecraft instruments, and other space systems where controlled movement, structural precision, or mechanical integration is required.
Advantages and Innovations
Extremely high-precision machining, micromachining & tight tolerances
Precipart operates a broad portfolio of advanced machining technologies — including Swiss-type automatic machines, 5-axis CNC milling, multi-axis turning, gear hobbing/shaping, rotary-transfer machines, high-speed coil-fed automatics, robotic machining cells, and more.
This enables production of “complex, machined components” with very tight tolerances — well suited to demanding aerospace/space-grade parts (where size, alignment, concentricity, surface finish, and repeatability are critical).
Importantly, they can produce very small or microscale components — which matters in space systems for weight-saving, miniaturization, and high-precision mechanisms (e.g., sensors, actuators, small gearboxes).
Advantage relative to “legacy / rougher” machining or bulk manufacturing: the much tighter tolerances and ability to produce small, complex geometries — reducing risk of misalignment or mechanical failure; enabling miniaturization, lower mass, and higher reliability.
Integrated, flexible manufacturing and assembly — from design to final assemblies
Precipart offers end-to-end capabilities: from design/engineering support, prototyping, primary machining/moulding, secondary operations (heat-treating, grinding, EDM, laser welding, surface finishing), to full mechanical or electromechanical assembly — even in clean-room environment (e.g., Class 10K clean room) when needed.
This vertical integration (design ↔ manufacture ↔ assembly ↔ test/inspection) means fewer hand-offs between vendors, better control over quality and specification compliance, plus faster iteration cycles (from prototype to production).
The ability to manage complex assemblies — e.g., custom gearboxes, electromechanical actuators, motion control systems, integrated motor + gearbox + housing + surface treatment — is especially relevant in space applications where subsystems often need to be compact, lightweight, robust, and fully qualified.
Advantage over a more fragmented supply-chain / “piece-by-piece subcontractor” approach: reduced risk of interface mismatches, improved traceability and quality control, faster qualification cycles, and likely lower overall system cost and schedule risk.